NEWS: Police and Crime Commissioner confirms “no final decision” has been made on moving Neighbourhood Policing Team off Castle Vale

Words by Ed King

PCC Simon Foster at the launch of Operation Fearless at Villa Park / Pic by Ed King

After months of speculation the Tyburn Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) could be moved off Castle Vale and relocated to Erdington Town Centre, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster has now confirmed “no final decision has been made” and any plans are “still under review”.

Castle Vale Local was first informed about the possible Tyburn NPT move in autumn last year, which would see the team of community police officers moved to Erdington Police Station – placing them at least 50minutes walking distance away from the edge of the Castle Vale estate and an average of between 12-20minutes if responding in a police car or vehicle.

A map of the area covered by the Tyburn Neighbourhood Policing Team / Image taken from WMP website

When asked for confirmation if the move was imminent, or being considered at all, spokespeople for both West Midlands Police (WMP) and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPPC) were initially unclear as to who would be making the final decision.

But speaking to Castle Vale Local at the recent launch of Operation Fearless, held at Villa Park on Tuesday 7 January, PCC Simon Foster confirmed that whilst “ultimately that is an operational policing decision for the Chief Constable and the local area police borough commander” his office was not aware that any plans had been finalised.

Chief Constable Craig Guildford at the launch of Operation Fearless at Villa Park / Pic by Ed King

Furthermore, the West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford confirmed if there was a financially viable option to keep the Tyburn NPT on Castle Vale then “of course [the police would] look at that.”

He added: “In particular, it might be good as a touchdown point for some of our neighbourhood cops and PCSOs. So, I’d never rule anything out. But I’m just being honest and saying my job is to make the pounds go as far as I can squeeze them.”

In previous statements from West Midlands Police, after initial enquiries and calls for clarification, Superintendent Emlyn Richards told Castle Vale Local: “The Tyburn neighbourhood policing team remain based in Castle Vale, however, our lease on their office expires in 2025.”

Reiterating the Chief Constable’s financial concerns surrounding some operational decisions, he added: “Understandably we’re exploring all possibilities to ensure good value for public money balanced our commitment to delivering effective policing.”

Police car parked on Farnborough Road, Castle Vale / Pic by Ed King

When the possible move of the Tyburn NPT was first reported on by Castle Vale Local, Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin (Labour) and The Pioneer Group CEO Simon Wilson began petitioning the police for consultation before any plans were finalised – raising significant concerns about a spike in crime and anti-social behaviour if the public facing police team were to leave the estate.

Since being elected in 2022, Cllr Goodwin fostered a close working relationship with the Tyburn NPT police team and was seen by many, both stakeholders and residents, as having helped the police tackle crime across the estate.

In May 2024, Cllr Goodwin organised a ‘Crime and Community Safety Summit’ at Greenwood Academy on Farnborough Road, to address residents concerns over crime rates and police presence across the estate. The event was attended by many local residents, alongside Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton, PCC Simon Foster, and the then Tyburn NPT Sergeant Edkins.

Broken police tape by the old police station on Castle Vale High Street / Pic by Ed King

After the closure of the police station on Castle Vale High Street, The Pioneer Group had been providing the Tyburn NPT with working space at The Greenhouse – office facilities owned by the housing provider in the centre of the estate – where the local police ran a ‘pop up’ police facility for local residents.

This had been given by The Pioneer Group without rental charges, with the police only liable for “their share of service charges for use of space in our building”, confirmed CEO Simon Wilson, and if the NPT sought to renew their lease “the core terms [would] remain the same – share of service charges and peppercorn rent (i.e.no rent).”

Mr Wilson added “This was to help ensure we could keep the Neighbourhood Policing Team located on Castle Vale.”

In an open letter to both the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner, written and signed by both Cllr Ray Goodwin and Simon Wilson, the local stakeholders expressed their “very genuine concern” and called for any action to be “put on hold” until “meaningful engagement is undertaken” to reach a solution that would not see Castle Vale lose its uniformed police presence.

Police and forenics investigating a violent attack and reports of gunfire on Castle Vale / Pic supplied by local resident

Both West Midlands Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner continue to state that working with partners, such as locally elected officials and housing associations, is a key part of their neighbourhood policing strategy.

In the recent West Midlands Police Neighbourhood Policing Ambition document, setting out the regionwide approach to community policing until 2026, Chief Constable Craig Guildford states how the new “neighbourhood policing model [will] ensure we remain connected and engaged with our communities [and] continue to work with partners” – a sentiment reiterated throughout the sixteen-page mission statement.

Castle Vale Local continues to liaise with all parties involved and will keep our readers updated.

For more on the Tyburn Neighbourhood Police Team, visit: www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/tyburn/about-us/top-reported-crimes-in-this-area

 

SPECIAL REPORT: Concerns grow across Castle Vale over reports Neighbourhood Police Team could move to Erdington Town Centre

Words by Ed King

Broken police tape on Castle Vale High Street / Pic by Ed King

Concerns are growing across Castle Vale as multiple reports warn the Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) currently situated on the estate could be moved to Erdington Town Centre.

Over the past few weeks, Castle Vale Local has been told by several sources close to the local police that the Tyburn NPT – who operate community policing on and around Castle Vale and Tyburn Road – will be relocated to the Erdington Police Station on Sutton New Road.

If this takes place it will base the Tyburn NPT outside of the geographical area they police, with the nearest boundary line to Erdington Police Station being Kingsbury Road – a six minute drive and 22 minute walk away.

Castle Vale Local first contacted both West Midlands Police (WMP) and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPPC) about the issue on 25 September, with WMP stating “all enquiries regarding Estates is dealt with by the [O]PCC”.

Police investigating violent attack on Castle Vale / Pic supplied by local resident

On 26 October, the OPCC initially confirmed “there are no plans, at this point, to relocate [the Tyburn NPT]” but kept the option open “if operational requirements change”.

With continuing external reports confirming the move, on 9 October the OPPC directed enquires back to WMP stating it was “an operational policing matter”. In return, WMP doubled down on the unchallenged fact the Tyburn NPT currently “remain at their Castle Vale base” but crucially did not directly address any future plans of relocation.

After repeated calls for clarification, the latest statement issued, from Superintendent Emlyn Richards, told Castle Vale Local: “The Tyburn neighbourhood policing team remain based in Castle Vale, however, our lease on their office expires in 2025.”

They added: “Understandably we’re exploring all possibilities to ensure good value for public money balanced our commitment to delivering effective policing.”

However, Castle Vale Local has been told members of the Tyburn NPT had already met with The Pioneer Group regarding their lease on The Greenhouse – the office space given to them at a significantly reduced rate – and have yet to resign since it expired in March 2024.

We have further been told by senior officers at TPG the “core terms of the lease remain the same – share of service charges and peppercorn rent (i.e.no rent)” in a continued effort by the local housing association to keep visible policing on the estate.

The Pioneer Group Chief Executive Officer, Simon Wilson / Pic supplied by The Pioneer Group

In a joint letter to the Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford, written and signed by The Pioneer Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Wilson and Councillor Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale, Labour), the local stakeholders “express[ed] our concerns” about the “proposal to relocate” the Tyburn NPT “from Castle Vale to Erdington”.

The letter continued to address the “negative impact” such a move would have on Castle Vale, and how the lack of “visible policing” could clear a path for “levels of crime that… plagued the community for many years”.

It also highlights “a very genuine concern” over “the lack of engagement with partners” around such significant changes to community policing.

In the recent West Midlands Police Neighbourhood Policing Ambition document, setting out the regionwide approach until 2026, the introduction from Chief Constable Craig Guildford states the “fundamental… continuing value the we, as a force, place on neighbourhood policing”.

The forward continues to outline how the new “neighbourhood policing model [will] ensure we remain connected and engaged with our communities [and] continue to work with partners” – a sentiment reiterated throughout the sixteen-page mission statement.

On the West Midlands Police website, the page dedicated to the Tyburn NPT states the first action taken to tackle crime in the area is “Joint activity with partner agencies”.

Cllr Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale, Labour) / Pic supplied by Birmingham Labour

In a statement made to Castle Vale Local, Cllr Ray Goodwin told: “I am deeply concerned to have spoken to a number of stakeholders who have had it confirmed [that there will be] the withdrawal of the Neighbourhood Policing Team from Castle Vale – despite receiving assurances from West Midlands Police… there are no plans, at this point, to relocate.

He added: “I will, alongside other partners, be seeking an urgent meeting with West Midlands Police to challenge this decision on behalf of the community in Castle Vale.”

The Pioneer Group Chief Executive Officer, Simon Wilson, also went on record with Castle Vale Local stating: “[The] Pioneer [Group] have only ever sought for WMP to pay their share of service charges for use of space in our building and not charged rent. This was to help ensure we could keep the neighbourhood policing team located on Castle Vale.”

He added: “I understand (Police and Crime Commissioner) Simon Foster has raised the issue with Chief Superintendent Richard North and [I] await a full response to the concerns raised on behalf of the Castle Vale community.”

Police on Farnborough Road, Castle Vale / PIc by Ed King

The threat of losing the local policing team from Castle vale is also concerning residents in the area, including people at the retirement housing community Phoenix Court, on Yatesbury Avenue, which was recently broken into in broad daylight with thieves stealing hundreds of pounds worth of electrical equipment form the downstairs community rooms.

One Phoenix Court residents told Castle Vale Local: “We were told that policing on The Vale was going to be more noticeable, now the Vale will become a no-go area with crime getting out of hand.”

Another resident added: “With no visible policing I think youth crime will increase, and police response times will be lengthened. All police resources appear to be going into Erdington High Street leaving nothing left for Castle Vale.”

Castle Vale Local will continue to follow this story, with both WMP and the OPCC routinely approached for comment.

For more on the Tyburn Neighbourhood Police Team, visit: www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/tyburn/about-us/top-reported-crimes-in-this-area

OPINION: A message from Erdington’s new police sergeant

Words by Sgt John Reeves

Erdington Police Station / Pic by Ed King

My name is Sergeant Reeves, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new Sergeant of the Erdington Neighbourhood Team.

Firstly, I want to say thank you to Sergeant James Hurdrige for all his hard work over the past year in looking after Erdington.

Allow me to provide you with a brief summary of my background. I have been working with West Midlands Police for 19 years, starting as a Special Constable in 2005. Following that, I transferred to Warwickshire and served an additional seven years there.

In 2007, I joined West Midlands Police full time and began working as a call handler and front office staff member. Over time, I progressed to the role of dispatcher until 2018 when I became a Police Officer.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with various neighbourhood teams, and I am now eager to take on the responsibility of overseeing the Erdington area.

However, I want to emphasise that while my team and I will be responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of the community, we cannot do it alone. We rely on the support of our partner agencies and, equally importantly, the collaboration of the community.

We require your support in reporting matters so that we are aware of any issues within your community. Please be aware we may not be able to attend all reports, this may be due to other commitments. By informing us of problems in your community can assist us in providing supporting evidence to facilitate us requesting additional patrols from other departments.

By working together as a community and actively looking after our area, we can create a better and safer place to live.

I am excited about the opportunity to serve as your Sergeant and contribute to the safety and well-being of the Erdington community.

Your active participation and collaboration are essential to achieving our shared goal of creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone. I look forward to working with you and getting to know the community better.

For more on Erdington’s Neighbourhood Police Team visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington

NEWS: Castle Vale councillor calls for “urgent meeting” to keep Neighbourhood Police Team on the estate

Words by Ed King 

Ripped police tape on Castle Vale High Street / Pic by Ed King

Councillor Ray Goodwin (Castel Vale, Labour) has called for an “urgent meeting” with West Midlands Police after multiple sources warn the Tyburn Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) currently based on the estate could be moved to Erdington Town Centre.

For several weeks, stakeholders and individuals across Castle Vale have been told the Tyburn NPT are being relocated to the constituency’s main station on Sutton New Road – leaving their current base at The Greenhouse, office premises owned by The Pioneer Group, based on Castle Vale.

Following requests for information by both Erdington Local and Cllr Goodwin, at the time of writing West Midlands Police (WMP) and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPPC) – the two organisations responsible for community policing across the region – have not given any compatible statements confirming or denying a possible move, leaving many concerned about the future of community policing on the estate.

With increasing concerns that Castle Vale, an area which depends on a visible police presence for public safety, could lose its community police officers, Cllr Goodwin has demanded clarity from both WMP and the Police and Crime Commissioner and promised to “challenge” any decision that could see less visible community policing on the North Birmingham estate.

Cllr Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale, Labour) / Pic supplied by Birmingham Labour

In a statement made to Erdington Local, Cllr Ray Goodwin told: “I am deeply concerned to have spoken to a number of stakeholders who have had it confirmed [that there will be] the withdrawal of the Neighbourhood Policing Team from Castle Vale – despite receiving assurances from West Midlands Police… there are no plans, at this point, to relocate.

He added: “Yet two weeks later we have been told the [Tyburn Neighbourhood Police Team] officers will be moved out in three weeks. I will, alongside other partners, be seeking an urgent meeting with West Midlands Police to challenge this decision on behalf of the community in Castle Vale.”

Erdington Local first contacted both West Midlands Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner about the issue on 25 September.

WMP stated all “all enquiries regarding Estates is dealt with by the [O]PCC” and promptly referred the enquiry to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

On 26 October, the OPPC responded by saying: “there are no plans, at this point, to relocate [the Tyburn NPT]” but added “if operational requirements change, our estates team will be on hand to deliver an appropriate solution.”

Police invetsigating reports of gunshots and violent disorder on Castle Vale / Pic supplied by local resident

After continuing confirmation from sources on Castle Vale that the Tyburn NPT are indeed relocating, with Erdington Police Station on Sutton New Road cited as the new location, the OPPC then responded on 9 October saying it was “an operational policing matter” and not one for the Police and Crime Commissioner.

With the ball bouncing back to WMP, a spokesperson for the Force confirmed on 17 October the Tyburn NPT currently “remain at their Castle Vale base” – but crucially did not confirm or deny any possible plans to relocate them in the future.

Police invetsigating reports of gunshots and violent disorder on Castle Vale / Pic supplied by local resident

The Tyburn Neighbourhood Police Team, which operates community policing on a patch stretching from Bromford and Castle Vale to Gravelly Hill and up to parts of Pype Hayes, have been based at The Greenhouse since the closure of the Castle Vale Police Station in 2017.

On 3 April 2023, West Midlands Police launched a new Neighbourhood Policing Strategy, led by Chief Constable Craig Guildford, which planned to make officers responding to crime “more local to provide a better service”.

Supporting the new strategy, the West Midlands Police Federation stated: “We are going to be more visible, we are going to be engaging more with the public and we are going to start talking with our partners again. It will be much better for the public.”

Chief Constable Guildford, who came into post in December 2022, added: “The new local policing model will help us to get better at solving local issues and preventing and solving crime by working in partnership with communities to deliver justice and keep people safe across the West Midlands.”

Castle Vale statue outside Chivenor Primary School / Pic by Ed King

In a statement issued by the OPPC in October 2023, addressing changes to local police teams and stations, it was confirmed that for Castle Vale: “Neighbourhood Policing Teams are currently co-located within a partner building (The Greenhouse). This will continue.”

Stakeholders on the Castle Vale estate are continuing to be told the Tyburn Neighbourhood Police Team will be relocated.

Erdington Local has asked both WMP and the OPPC for further comment about any existing or future plans around the location of the Tyburn NPT.

For more on the Tyburn Neighbourhood Police Team, visit: www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/tyburn/about-us/top-reported-crimes-in-this-area